Why Men avoid Therapy

As a Nigerian living in Nigeria, I've come across men that resist going to therapy, So i was thinking if it's a thing with just Nigerian Men, but the good news is 'yes good news' its all men that resist going to therapy. According to my research, men of all ages and ethnicity do not think therapy is a good idea and are less likely than women to seek help for all sorts of problems -even though they encounter those problems at the same or greater rates than women. As a matter of fact, statistics shows that twice as many women go to therapy than men do. In addition, the amount of time between onset of a mental health concern and seeking out treatment is also twice as long for men than women. Lets break it a little down, how many men around you can you vouch for that would open up when they are bothered and it feels like their heart is climbing, and their head is about to explode? That being said, i guess we are on the same page now. But do they need it? YES, they do. Everyone regardless of the gender needs therapy because of its benefits.

If we all know that therapy is effective, why do men avoid going to therapy?

1 There is nothing wrong with me

To start with, I honestly don't think you necessarily have to go through stuffs before seeing a therapist. Undergoing therapy isn't about something being wrong with you, more like going to the gym to work on your triceps isn't about something being wrong with your arm. Seeing a Therapist is like seeing a trainer.

2 Going to Therapy means I'm Weak

I think asking for help is a huge sign of strength. There is a difference between acting tough and being strong. Its easy to act tough by pretending that problems don't exist. it takes strength to admit you might need help.

3 I can't do Therapy, i'm supposed to get my shit together

you know the thing men say about Real men getting their shit together, yeah rt! they successfully took it to therapy. *smiles* Many men feel they have it all together all the time, despite how miserable they might feel. But its hard to do a good job when you are miserable, so if you really need your shit together, you definitely can't afford not to seek help.

4 No big deal, i'm fine

When dealing with health or mental health related issues, many guys downplay the symptoms and pain that they feel. To some guys its easier to avoid and downplay the issue than it is to admit there is something wrong and deal with it.

5 I know what i'm doing and i know where I'm headed

I'm sure you can relate to times when you had to walk or drive with a man or maybe one of your many family road trip when they act like they know where they are headed when its glaring that they need help. Some guys believe that they are not lost and do not need help. This pertains to struggling through stress, depression and anxiety when you can call for help and ease yourself a lot of stress. it is very okay to ask for help when necessary especially when your mental health is in question.

In all of these, i'm aware no one should be compelled to therapy. However, I think we should think about the positive effect it would have in our lives. Just maybe if we start to sell or talk about the benefits rather than the features, men would embrace seeing a therapist. i also think it is pertinent for men to seek help when needed as mental health isn't something one should take lightly. If you ever feel stressed, depressed or any burden whatsoever please speak to a therapist. Its enough that life throws a lot at us, but please don't complicate things by keeping it all to yourself. Have you ever wondered why Women live longer than men do? Research has it that, men 'complete' suicide at more than three times the rate of women. Because they bottle a lot of things up to the point where they loose their mind and complete suicide. Women probably 'think' about suicide more than men do, i mean for every slight and petty reason 'like if our hair isn't nicely done or when our heart is broken ' *hahaha*, but we won't dare act on such thought because at the end we someway-somehow find solution to our problem and half of the times its because we spoke about it.Think about that. Some of you might have the excuse of not being able to afford a therapist which i understand, but seeing a therapist these days is pretty affordable. On the other hand i'm sure you would agree with me that there is one person or maybe two in your circle that you can confide in. Start with them, if you belong to a religious body, get someone you can speak with, it could be your pastor, church elder, deacon ET AL.

Please stay sane for us, we need you as a husband, a father , brother , son and of course a friend. *winks* And you can be rest-assured that you will still be our man after undergoing a therapy. *Big grin*. its a man's world and no one is contesting that, but please go to the therapy if the need arise. AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT TAKES ONLY A REAL MAN TO VISIT THERAPY. WHAT KIND OF MAN ARE YOU FRIEND?

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